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Joyce Meyer Ministries Nanakramguda Hyderabad - 500 008 Andhra Pradesh INDIA 91-40-2300 6777 www.jmmindia.org Teaching Notes by Joyce Meyer TN31 WALKING ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT

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Joyce Meyer Ministries NanakramgudaHyderabad - 500 008Andhra PradeshINDIA91-40-2300 6777 www.jmmindia.org

Teaching Notes by Joyce Meyer

TN31

WALKING ACCORDING TO

THE SPIRIT

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July 19-20, 1993 Minneapolis, Minnesota

WALKING ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT

I. Know The Nature Of The Spirit And The Nature Of The Flesh.

A. I John 4:1-3 – There are many spirits that have gone forth. Try the spirits to see if they are of God.

1. Confess Jesus includes “glorify Jesus.”

2. Example: A person says that they have come to help you.

You notice they continually talk about themselves, what they are, and what they can do. This tells you they are not sent from God to you, for they have a wrong spirit.

THE SPIRIT OF GOD GLORIFIES JESUS

This is not intended to be an all-conclusive list, but one that provokes the believer to think. The Holy Spirit has far more wonderful traits than mortal man could name. These are a few to help you see what sort of spirit you are of and have encountered in others.

Character Traits Of The Spirit 1. He leads, guides, and prompts.

Prompt – Remind; offer information; hold up a cue card.

2. He is humble, gentle, meek, and lowly.

3. Speaks Truth; leads and guides

into all Truth – brings clarity

Character Traits Of The Flesh(or the enemy working through the flesh)

1. Flesh manipulates, controls,

demands, and pressures. (Romans 8:12-13)

2. Harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing

(Matthew 11:30) 3. Deceives, lies, and confuses

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Character Traits Of The Spirit (Continued)

4. Submissive to Authority

(Father and Jesus) 5. Faithful – Committed, long-

suffering, endures, and is patient. 6. Just – Shows no partiality or

favoritism. He represents the God of Justice.

7. Excellent – Never compromises

but always does exceedingly, abundantly, above, and beyond; goes the extra mile.

8. Generous – Loves giving;

rejoices in the prosperity of God’s children.

9. Delights to see the believer enjoy

himself and the life Jesus died to give

10. Convicts, but never condemns 11. Holy, righteous, and pure 12. Love – Manifests in patience,

kindness, meekness, humility, unselfishness, forgiveness, mercy, and self-control.

Character Traits Of The Flesh(Continued)

4. Rebellious 5. Impatient, uncommitted,

unfaithful, and gives up easily without immediate results

6. Unjust and dishonest 7. Compromises, and is mediocre

at best 8. Stingy, resentful, jealous, and

envious 9. Steals true joy and attempts to

replace it with “self-centered fun”

10. Makes guilty, blames, gives a

false sense of responsibility, and condemns

11. Unholy, wicked, evil, impure,

and unrighteous 12. Hates; is bitter, resentful, easily

offended; and holds grudges

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PERSONAL NOTES

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PERSONAL NOTES

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The Price To Pay Foundation Scriptures:

II Corinthians 3:6-8 – We will never see the glorious church until we are governed by the Spirit. Government and glory go together.

I. The Price To Pay

A. Hebrews 12:2 – Jesus endured the Cross (even though He despised it) for the joy of the prize that was before Him.

1. He endured patiently.

2. Colossians 3:12 – Endure all with good temper.

B. Jesus paid “our tuition.”

1. He paid for our sin and paid our debt owed to God.

We are purchased and bought with a price. He opened up a new and living way.

2. He wiped away the decree against us and gave us a

“NEW BEGINNING.”

3. A rich relative can pay your tuition for four years of college – THAT DOES NOT MEAN YOU WILL GRADUATE.

C. Many choices along the way

1. Many responsibilities

2. Matthew 20:16 – Many are called; few are chosen.

3. Opportunity comes to all.

Acts 10:34 – God is no respecter of persons.

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D. We must choose “the road less traveled.”

1. Matthew 7:14 – “The narrow path”

2. Via Dolorosa – “The way of suffering”

3. Hebrews 5:8 – He learned obedience through the things He suffered.

4. “Suffering is often a choice.”

5. I Peter 4:1-2 – Must suffer in the flesh.

6. I Peter 2:21 – We are to complete His sufferings

and “follow in His footsteps.”

E. To walk “according” to the Spirit, the flesh cannot be the dictator.

1. Romans 8:12-13 – We do not owe the flesh anything – living “according” to the flesh will bring death and every misery death represents.

2. Romans 8:9 – You are living the life of the Spirit IF the

Spirit of God really dwells, directs, and controls you.

F. “How to” be ever-filled with the Spirit!

1. Receive the Spirit

2. Let the Spirit direct and control you.

II. Your Will, Lord, Not Mine

A. “I die daily” is the price we pay.

1. Isaiah 55:8 – “My ways are not your ways” – TRUST ME.

2. Proverbs 14:12 – There is a way that seems right to man, but the end thereof is death.

3. Proverbs 21:2 – Every way of a man is right in his own eyes . . .

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4. Proverbs 16:9 – A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps . . .

5. Proverbs 19:21 – Many plans are in a man’s mind, but it

is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand.

6. Luke 22:39-44 – He suffered to do God’s will. 7. Hebrews 12:2 – He endured the Cross for the joy ahead.

8. He paid the price.

B. Psalm 106:11-16 – They would not wait for God’s plans to develop.

C. Acts 13:22 – God is looking for people who will do all of His will

and carry out His program fully.

D. Abraham/Sarah

1. Genesis: Chapter 15 – God’s promise

2. Genesis: Chapter 16 – Man’s plan

a. “It seems right.”

b. The paralysis of analysis – “When we analyze what God said too much, it often paralyzes God’s plan.”

III. Walking According To The Spirit And Waiting

A. Habakkuk 2:3 – Though the promise tarry, WAIT earnestly for it.

1. Earnestly = expectantly

B. Hebrews 10:36 – You have need of patience in order to receive the promises of God.

C. Waiting and suffering

1. Romans 8:23 – We groan inwardly as we wait.

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IV. The Importance Of Following “The Promptings”

A. Romans 7:6 – No longer serve under the Law, but serve under obedience to the promptings of the Spirit.

1. The Lord wants us to serve according to the promptings.

2. In this way, we never “know mentally” what He will ask; so

we trust and “know spiritually” that it will always be good.

WE WOULD NOT GET SO MANY “STOMPINGS” IF WE FOLLOWED THE “PROMPTINGS.”

B. Romans 8:2 – The law of the Spirit of life

1. Following the Spirit brings life.

2. Following the Spirit brings God’s plan for our life to come to pass.

C. Romans 12:1-2 – Dedicate your body. Get a new attitude. Prove out the

will of God.

1. I Peter 4:1-2 – The new attitude is “I would rather suffer than fail to please God.”

So, since Christ suffered in the flesh for us, for you, arm yourselves with the same thought and purpose [patiently to suffer rather than fail to please God]. For whoever has suffered in the flesh [having the mind of Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [has stopped pleasing himself and the world, and pleases God], so that he can no longer spend the rest of his natural life living by [his] human appetites and desires, but [he lives] for what God wills.

D. Ephesians 2:10 – God has predestined a good plan for us.

1. We will never see it unless we “pay the price” of

following the promptings of the Spirit daily.

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PERSONAL NOTES

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PERSONAL NOTES

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The Mind Of The Flesh Vs. The Mind Of The Spirit

I. The MIND Of The Flesh

A. Ephesians 2:3 – Deeds and thoughts go together.

B. Romans 8:6 – Mind of the flesh is death – Mind of the Spirit is life.

C. Matthew 16:21-23 – Peter minding the things of the flesh.

D. Colossians 3:1-2 – In order to walk in the Spirit, set your mind on what is above and not on the things that are on the earth.

E. Romans 13:14 – Stop making provision for the flesh – put a stop to

thinking about it. II. Natural Man Does Not Understand Spiritual Man.

A. I Corinthians 2:14-16 – The natural mind or the mind of the flesh seeks to understand everything.

1. It craves knowledge.

2. I Corinthians 2:2 – Paul, prior to his conversion, sought

natural knowledge – now he is seeking to “know Christ.”

3. Philippians 3:10 (KJV) – That I may KNOW him, and the power of his resurrection . . .

4. Proverbs 3:5-7 – Lean not to your understanding.

B. Beware of the reasoning capabilities of the mind of the flesh.

1. Romans 8:6 – Fleshly mind is sense and reason

without the Holy Spirit.

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2. To be spiritual, we do not cast out all common sense; but we must let the Spirit judge and discern, not the mind of the flesh (I Corinthians 2:14-16).

3. Many things that seem to “make sense” are wrong

for us to do.

C. Galatians 5:17 – The flesh wars against the Spirit.

1. Satan uses the “nature” of the flesh to prevent the believer from walking according to the Spirit.

2. The “nature” (natural inclination) of the flesh is

depraved and corrupt.

The natural mind or fleshly mind has vain and dark imaginings and is totally self-centered.

3. The flesh wants to be in charge; therefore, it wants to

KNOW everything. What it does not already know, it seeks to reason or figure out.

4. Jeremiah 17:9 – The heart is deceitful above all things,

and it is exceedingly perverse and corrupt and severely, mortally sick! Who can know it [perceive, understand, be acquainted with his own heart and mind]?

THE BELIEVER IS OFTEN BROUGHT INTO DECEPTION THROUGH REASONING.

D. Deception through reasoning

1. James 1:21-27 – The flesh or the mind of the flesh reasons until a way is located for “the flesh” to stay comfortable.

2. Deuteronomy 11:16 – Take heed to yourselves

(or know yourselves) and be honest with yourselves, lest you be deceived.

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E. Matthew 13:22 – “Deceitfulness of riches” is a good example.

1. It is easy for riches to deceive because the flesh has a strong desire to have things and own things.

2. The believer reasons out that they should have “it”

because they want it.

F. Why does the flesh nature seek to “know” or “own”?

1. It wants control. III. Worldly Wisdom Vs. Godly Wisdom A. I Corinthians 3:18-20 – Discard your worldly wisdom and become

really wise.

1. You will not have discernment until you give up reasoning.

2. You must die to trying to figure things out.

B. James 3:15-17 – Superficial wisdom (reasoning) causes confusion.

1. We figure something out and put it into action, but

it does not work and causes all kinds of trouble.

2. Where there is strife, unrest, and rebellion, it is not God’s wisdom. His ways = His wisdom.

C. Proverbs 8:34 – True wisdom must be waited on.

1. Can’t be hasty and walk in the Spirit.

IV. The Mind Of The Spirit Is Peace And Life.

A. Romans 8:6 – When we are operating in the mind of the Spirit, we sense life and have true peace.

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1. Beware of a false peace. “Getting our own way is often like a sedative to the flesh” and can be confused with true peace.

2. Once again, “know yourself” and be honest with yourself.

Be willing to wait – true wisdom and true peace will emerge.

B. Colossians 3:15 – Let peace be the umpire.

C. Psalm 1:1 – Discernment requires that we do not take counsel from the

ungodly (our own mind, will, emotions).

1. If it does not “fit” inside – if it cannot find a resting place in you – reject it.

D. The spiritual mind is full of:

1. The Word

2. Good things, how to be a blessing, etc.

(Galatians: Chapter 6)

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PERSONAL NOTES

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Looking Beyond What You Can See I. Discernment

A. Discernment (defined/Vine’s) – “To distinguish or separate out so as to investigate by looking throughout objects or particulars,” hence signifies “to examine, scrutinize, question, to hold a preliminary judicial examination preceding the trial proper” (this first examination, implying more to follow, is often present in the non-legal uses of the word). Of “discerning” or determining the excellence or defects of a person or thing. Signifies to “separate, discriminate”; then, “to learn by discriminating, to determine, decide.”

B. Proverbs teaches to seek after diligently (Proverbs 1:1-5).

1. One of the gifts of the Spirit that should be “earnestly

desired” (I Corinthians 12:10)

C. We already established in “The Mind Of The Flesh Versus The Mind Of The Spirit” that a person cannot operate in true discernment and their own mental reasoning.

D. Neither can we have true discernment and live by what we “see” with

the natural eye. II. Seeing The Unseen

A. II Corinthians 4:8-18 – Stability and joy in hard times comes from looking not to the seen realm but the unseen.

B. The eye of faith

1. Hebrews 11:1 – Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things “unseen.”

2. Example: I cannot see God with my natural eye, but

I know He is with me always. I am conscious of His presence by faith.

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C. Isaiah 30:20-21 – Your eye shall behold your Teacher, and you shall hear Him say, “This is the way, walk ye in it.”

D. Mark 8:18 – You have eyes to see and see not, ears to hear and hear not.

III. Getting Into The “Miracle Realm”

A. John 4:11 – The woman at the well – “See, You cannot help me; You have nothing to draw with.”

B. John 6:2-9 – The disciples had “seen” Him do miracles, and they were

concerned about lunch because they could not “see” their provision. 1. Having seen miracles does not always assure

us faith when we need another one. 2. Thomas had “seen” but was unable to believe. 3. Miracles can “jump-start” your faith but won’t

keep it running smoothly day after day. C. John 6:26-27, 36 – You have seen miracles and still you do not believe. D. What does it take to step over into the “unseen realm”?

1. Knowledge of “the Word” 2. A decision to exalt it above all else.

Romans 4:18-20 – [For Abraham, human reason for] hope being gone, hoped in faith that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been promised, So [numberless] shall your descendants be. He did not weaken in faith when he considered the [utter] impotence of his own body, which was as good as dead because he was about a hundred years old, or [when he considered] the barrenness of Sarah’s [deadened] womb. No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as He gave praise and glory to God.

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3. Do not be foolish and presumptuous but do not torment yourself by believing there is nothing beyond what you see.

IV. The Spirit And The Unseen Realm

A. The Holy Spirit wants to give hope to the hopeless. 1. Romans 5:3-5 – Living by truth rather than fact. 2. The fact was I was really messed up, but the Truth

set me free (John 8:32). B. We talk and think far too much about what we are going through and

not enough about what it will be like when we have gone through. C. Romans 15:13 – May the God of your hope fill you with joy and peace

in believing.

D. Romans 13:11 – Deliverance is nearer now than when we first believed.

1. We still cannot see the manifestation, but it is coming. E. Do not use your faith to become a “dictator of God’s way.”

1. Example: I have a financial need and believe God is going

to meet it through “the mailbox” or “my employer,” etc. 2. I get my “eyes” on what I can see: the mailbox, my employer,

etc. – rather than what is available in the unseen realm.

F. Possibility

1. Luke 18:27 – But He said, What is impossible with men is possible with God.

2. Genesis 18:14 – Is anything too hard or too wonderful for

the Lord? At the appointed time, when the season [for her delivery] comes around, I will return to you and Sarah shall have borne a son.

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3. Luke 1:37 – For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment.

G. Expectancy (Psalm 27:13-14) – I would have despaired had I not

believed.

1. Looked with the eye of faith into the realm of the unseen and believed with God it is a possibility.

V. Judge Not After The Flesh.

A. Judge

B. Isaiah 11:2-3 – Jesus does not judge according to what He sees.

C. I Samuel 16:13 – David being chosen from among his “seemingly more acceptable” brothers

D. God sees the heart.

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Soul Power

Adam had no sin, no corruption in his body, soul, or spirit. He was in perfect agreement with God; they flowed as one. Adam was extremely powerful. His memory, brainpower, and managerial abilities were awesome. He ruled the earth and had dominion over all else. (Ponder how long it took for men to die after sin did come in.) When he sinned, darkness and corruption filled his spirit and soul and began to weaken and eventually kill his body. Because Adam was no longer led by God, but by Satan and his own self, the force or power he had resident in him could now be used destructively. (One cannot have much of the power of God and be Satan-led, self-led, or people-led.) Adam was originally called a “living soul.” After the fall, God referred to him as “flesh” because his flesh had ascendancy. The power in his soul was “frozen” or “immobilized,” but it is still resident. A born-again man can allow the Holy Spirit to work through his regenerate spirit, and the works (gifts of the Spirit, special giftings, and abilities) can be seen demonstrated through the soul. This is God’s will. He (God) is the Source, which has the control and gets the glory. Satan’s desire is to teach unsaved people to release this latent power. Thus, psychic powers have developed and come to the forefront. Often through deception, “religious” people (or those Christians who do not diligently study God’s Word) learn that these methods being taught are of God when actually it is demon-induced soul power. This is very dangerous and extremely offensive to the Lord. The current new-age movement is a typical example. It is very important for people to realize that everything supernatural is not of God. We must examine the source.

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What Is Born Of The Flesh Is Flesh! I. The Source

A. John 3:6 – What is born of the flesh is flesh – what is born of the Spirit, is spirit.

1. The Lord let me know, “What you birth in the flesh,

Joyce, you will maintain.” God will not bless our “works of the flesh.”

2. Learn the source of things. Is this of me or of God?

B. John 6:63 – The flesh profits nothing – conveys no benefit at all. C. Romans 7:18 – For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that

is, in my flesh . . . D. Jesus repeatedly talked of how “of Himself He could know nothing

at all”; but that all that He did was actually the Father doing it, or it was what He had seen the Father do.

1. John 5:30 – I can do nothing of Myself. 2. We can do things, but they are without power. 3. Isaiah 49:4-5 – I have labored in vain, and my

God has become my strength. 4. Psalm 127:1 – Unless the Lord builds the house,

they labor in vain. II. The Fruit

A. James 3:15-17 – Superficial wisdom and what its fruit is, and God’s wisdom and the fruit it bears 1. Flesh bears bad fruit.

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2. Spirit bears good fruit.

B. Matthew 12:33 – The tree is recognized by its fruit. C. Matthew 7:15-23 – Not all are sincere – watch for fruit.

1. Are you frustrated, struggling, lacking joy, lacking power, in strife, or sick due to stress?

2. You are probably in “works of the flesh.” 3. Righteousness, peace, joy, power, health, ministry,

hope, faith, and rest are all indicators of being in God’s plan and timing.

D. Hebrews 4:12 – The Word divides soul and spirit.

1. I was living a fleshly, carnal Christian life; and the Word began to show me that.

E. Hebrews 12:11 – Chastisement hurts, but “the fruit is good.”

1. A thing can “feel good” and bear no good fruit.

2. A thing can “feel bad” and bear good fruit. III. Soul Power Or Spirit Power?

A. Zechariah 4:6 – Not by might, nor by power (mine), but by My Spirit says the Lord.

B. We must choose not to use “soul power” but be purposely reliant

on God, doing only what is birthed of His Spirit. C. Habakkuk 2:1-4 – Wait for the vision.

1. Look at the proud; his soul is not right. 2. When my soul has ascendancy, it is not in

its right place.

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3. I Peter 5:5-6 – Humble yourself (your soul), and God will do something.

D. Psalm 37:4-5 – He will make it happen.

IV. Areas Of Easy Deception

A. Soul power in prayer

1. “Thy will be done,” or “my will be done.” 2. Be careful when praying for others that what

you pray for them is God’s will – not your will. 3. Explain the projection of soul power in words

and thoughts. 4. Must guard against witchcraft practices. A

person may be sincere and be sincerely wrong. 5. Isaiah 54:17 – Words are weapons.

Psalm 31:20 – Protected from tongues in strife 6. Proper prayers are filled with boldness and humility.

B. Soul power in worship

1. Matthew 15:8-9 – Uselessly do they worship Me, for they teach as doctrines the commands of men.

2. John 4:24 – God is a Spirit (a spiritual Being) and

those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and truth (reality).

3. Extreme emotionalism or continually repeating the

same phrases in a chant-like fashion CAN move a person into the realm of the soul. Soul worship is not acceptable to God.

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4. Something can start in the spirit and end up in the soul.

C. Soul power in personal ministry or public meetings

1. Be careful about moving in emotions or moving others into the emotional realm.

2. Be careful about putting “your opinion” or

“your thoughts” on people and telling them “this is God.”

3. True ministry should produce good fruit.

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PERSONAL NOTES

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WALKING ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT 30